VICTORIOUS ARMIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1943, Page 4

VICTORIOUS ARMIES

REGROUPING FOR NEXT ROUND INSIDE FORTRESS EUROPE. MORE DETAILS OF ENEMY LOSSES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 18. The Allied armies have begun to regroup ready for the next round —the biggest offensive yet, right inside the fortress of Europe, declares the British United Press Algiers correspondent. Attacks against land communications on the Italian toe have been so effective that the Germans are now trying to withdraw their forces by sea from Reggio Di Calabria to Palmi (25 miles north-east). Fight-er-bombers are harassing the vessels they are using.

Following upon the conquest of Sicily Allied planes are now attacking Axis communications far into Italy. Allied planes heavily raided the railroad and highway lifelines into the southern provinces of Italy, after destroying or damaging 306 evacuation vessels in the final round of the Sicilian campaign. General Eisenhower has announced that the Axis losses in Sicily, totalled 167,000 killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Some 135,000 men were taken prisoner to August 10. Not less than 32,000 were killed or wounded. The enemy lost 260 tanks and 500 guns. To August 12 the Allies shot down or captured on the ground 598 German planes and 415 Italian planes. Allied losses in the entire campaign arc estimated to be 25,000. The British United Press correspondent with the American Seventh' Army says the Axis claim that the German forces escaped with all equipment is nonsense. “When the Seventh Army marched in yesterday,” he says, “Messina was jammed with abandoned guns, vehicles and other booty. The road for four miles into Messina was lined with knocked-out and abandoned vehicles. There were practically no Germans in Messina, but Italian troops surrendered wholesale. Hardly a building in the city remains intact. The-docks particularly are a mass of jumbled stone and steel.”

AXIS AIRCRAFT

NEARLY 1,700 LOST IN SICILY.

1,100 COUNTED ON GROUND

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, August 18. Up to yesterday, nearly 1,700 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air, on the ground or captured. Air Chief Marshal Tedder has reported to General Eisenhower that 1,100 Axis aircraft have actually been counted on the ground in Sicily.

The Allies lost 103 tanks and 251 guns. Both figures are about half the enemy’s and both include, those sunk during the landings. Between July 1 and August 17, the Allies lost 274 aircraft. British and American troops are organising the captured areas and mopping up isolated groups of Axis soldiers.

The air offensive was continued to the last moment of the evacuation, which was far less successful than the Germans pretend. Between August 5 and yesterday our aircraft destroyed or damaged 306 enemy ships, ranging from barges and E-boats to mediumsized merchantmen.

General Eisenhower, who has returned to his headquarters, described the Sicilian campaign as an example of what could be accomplished by all three services working together. It was a real victory and the troops had done everything the best troops in the world could do. That remark applied to all three services.

Speaking as an American, General Eisenhower said he was as proud of the Eighth Army as anyone could be and he was? also proud that the Americans had now brought up an army which was a worthy partner to it. General George Marshall, American Chief of Staff, has addressed congratulations to the Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Andrew Cunningham, General Alexander, Air Marshal Tedder, General Patton and General Spaatz, expressing admiration of the triumphal conclusion of the Sicilian campaign and of their support of General Eisenhower.

INVASION OF ITALY EXPECTED TO COME SOON. OTHER POSSIBILITIES SEEN IN MEDITERRANEAN. (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, August 18. Most authoritative British and American observers believe that an Allied invasion of Italy will come scon. It is considered likely that when the invasion of Italy begins, simultaneous moves will be made against the Balkans, Sardinia or Southern France.

Mr Morley Richards, the “Daily Express” military writer, says Allied landings in Italy may be expected at any moment. General Eisenhower has established a magnificent strategic position. He has ports from which to strike in one or more of three directions. He could move through Sardinia and Corsica to Southern France, or to Italy, or the Balkans. An attack on Italy may be synchronised with other Mediterranean offensives, for the Allies have a second large force based on Cairo, and a third in Syria.

The “New York Times” says Italy remains in the war only as the prisoner of Germany. It can be rescued only by a-determined show, of Allied strength—to impress the hesitatantßadoglio Government, to encourage the population which is crying out for peace, and to chase the* Germans out.

The “New York Daily News” says Italy is ready to quit the war. This happy result has been achieved by splitting the Italian people from their Fascist leaders. It would be worth while for the Allies at least to try to do the same thing to Hitler and his Nazi Party.